Visible smart metering

The University of Lincoln has deployed state-of-the-art LED and fluorescent lighting from Thorn in 17 student halls, reducing lighting energy consumption and costs by 25%. The university also won the Lux 2013 Recycling Award for disposing of old luminaires and battens in a green way.

Project background

Universities across the UK are updating their facilities to increase energy efficiency and minimise carbon emissions. This is the case at the University of Lincoln, which has climbed more places in the university league table in recent years than almost any other institution in the country.

In 2009, the University of Lincoln published an Environmental Policy document, setting challenging targets for preventing pollution and minimising energy consumption. By 2017, the institution aims to meet Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) targets for reducing carbon emissions.

In the summer of 2012, the University of Lincoln embarked on a major refurbishment of ‘The Courts’,its complex of 17 student halls of residence with 1,037 furnished bedrooms, common areas and shared kitchens. To ensure that the project supported the university’s environmental goals, the facilities teams went to market for efficient indoor lighting products to replace existing 2D and T26 switchstart fluorescent luminaires and battens.

Phil Lawson, Head of Electrical Projects at the University of Lincoln, says: “We needed LED luminaires and fluorescent battens that were durable, cost effective and simple to install, with no need for major alterations to the existing in-building wiring. Integrated controls were also a must to ensure that students never leave lights on when they leave the room.”

Another key requirement for the project was to dispose of the old luminaires in line with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive, recycling materials where possible and minimising waste sent to landfill.

The Thorn solution

While visiting the LuxLive show in 2011, Phil Lawson saw Thorn Lighting’s new Leopard LED bulkhead luminaires and T16 Pop Pack Pro fluorescent battens in action. “I’d already seen LED products and fluorescent battens from other manufacturers, but I needed a guarantee of quality and durability, and that’s what you get from Thorn,” says Phil. “Thorn’s proposal was also extremely competitive from a commercial standpoint, and they were able to provide a solution for recycling our old luminaires as part of the package.”

During the planning phase of the project, the Thorn account team helped the University of Lincoln build a business case for replacing its existing switchstart 2D bulkhead luminaires and T26 battens with the latest Thorn LED and fluorescent products. “Based on a combination of lower energy consumption and automated controls, we were able to calculate that the move to Thorn products would reduce our installed load, meaning our lighting energy consumption, by 23 kilowatts from 57.7 kilowatts to 33.9 kilowatts across all 17 blocks,” says Phil.

With the business case established, the university worked with a Thorn reseller and Thorn recycling partners to replace luminaires across the halls of residence based on a three-phase deployment. “We replaced 1479 luminaires in seven blocks in 2012, a further 1429 luminaires across five blocks in 2013,” says Phil, “and we will upgrade luminaires in the final five blocks in the summer of 2014.”

Following on from each phase, old luminaires and battens were placed in recycling skips provided by Thorn recycling partners Lumicom and Recolight. “The materials were separated into two skips and taken away for recycling,” says Phil.

Results and benefits

By replacing fluorescent luminaires and battens across its student halls with the latest LED and fluorescent products from Thorn, the University of Lincoln is minimising its environmental impact and lowering energy costs. The university will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 62%, and gained industry recognition for its commitment to recycling.

University will achieve full returns on investment in five years

Based on a combination of efficient LED and fluorescent technology and integrated controls, the University of Lincoln will achieve rapid returns on its investments in Thorn products. This is based on lighting energy savings of 25% and total energy savings in student blocks of more than 20%. “We’ve been able to measure the difference in energy consumption between five of the blocks that use Thorn’s products, and those that still have the old 2D, switchstart fluorescents,” says Phil. “For those five blocks alone, we are seeing an average monthly energy saving of more than 20%, which means total energy savings of nearly £10,000 for the academic year. If we achieve similar results for the other 12 blocks, our Thorn products will pay for themselves in just five years.”

Industry recognition for environmental best practice

The university won the Lux 2013 Recycling Award for its major refurbishment project at The Courts. “The ability to recycle our old luminaires and battens was always a key priority for this project, and we’re very proud of what we’ve achieved,” says Phil. “Winning the Lux Award shows that we are leading the way when it comes to recycling and environmental responsibility.”

Fast, simple deployment

The new Thorn LED and fluorescent products were fast, simple and cost effective to install in the student halls, with no need for rewiring. In addition, the new luminaires and battens incorporate sensors that ensure they are never left on when students leave the room, and which ensure that lights come on in the event of an emergency – all in the same compact unit. “The Thorn luminaires and battens provide all the functionality we need in a simple product that is very quick and easy to install,” says Phil.